Folding holder for maps and related travel information printouts

ABSTRACT

A substantially transparent map holder or envelope for retaining therein a composite map. The holder includes a plurality of compartments spaced between two layers of material connected together. Each compartment has at least one opening for insertion and removal of a printed map that may be a section of a composite map, and/or other related text or graphic travel information such as point information, route maps, travel directions, tickets, reservations, discount coupons, and so forth. By using mapping software and a printer, a user may create a large, composite, custom map that is put together like a quilt or a mosaic made up of individual pieces of printable paper. The individual pieces are inserted into the compartments to create a large-sized map for easier overall visualization—made using preferably a conventional printer and standard-sized (e.g.  8.5″×11″ ) sheets of paper—rather than large-format printers or plotters and oversized paper. The overall map holder furthermore folds up in various ways for more convenient storage, handling and focused use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to substantially transparentcontainers or holders for maps and other printed travel information.More particularly, the present invention relates to a folding, re-usablemap case or enclosure having discrete compartments for holding in anorganized, visible manner maps or other travel information printed onmore or less standard-sized paper. The printed sheets are preferablyarranged within the compartments contiguously to effectively produce amap larger in size than individual standard-sized pieces of paper. In analternative version, arrays of printed maps and/or other hard-copiedtravel information output—e.g. driving directions, point information,“located” reservations or discount coupons etc.—can be assembled andplaced within the adjoining transparent map holder compartments along aroute, in the direction the user plans to travel, or in relation tolocations shown on the composite map. The present invention protects theprinted maps and other information from weather, water andwear-and-tear—as well as configuring the related pages of generallygeographic printed information spatially, or in other logical or usefulpatterns. The present invention may also be associated with computersoftware employed to generate maps to be printed.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art and Objects of the Invention

[0004] Protective holders have been made available for the purpose ofholding and protecting paper maps. An example of such a holder is the“WATERPROOF MAP/DOCUMENT/CHART HOLDER” made by OMNISEAL of Seattle Wash.This product resembles a large postal envelope—but made of transparentplastic with a zip-lock closure at one end of the single compartment formaps and/or for other documents. In addition, DeLorme Publishing,assignee of the present application, offers plastic laminated versionsof its series of state Atlas & Gazetteer printed map books—consisting ofthe cover and pages coated in plastic and spiral bound. Furthermore,DeLorme sells a clear plastic book jacket specifically sized to fitaround and protect plain paper editions of the Atlas & Gazetteers fromexposure or damage. As a convenient protective carrier for the Atlas &Gazetteer map books, DeLorme also retails zippered “book-bags” with oneside of transparent plastic. For many years, DeLorme has packagedfolding sheet maps, and the similarly sized state geographic travelinformation series of pamphlets, in simple clear plastic sleeves,approximately 5″×11″, pre-punched with a hole for hanging retaildisplays.

[0005] DeLorme provides mapping software that enables a user to printsets of adjacent maps on 8.5″×11″ standard-sized paper. The margins maybe cut off and the multiple pieces of paper assembled together—like aquilt or mosaic—to form a relatively large composite map. Thistechnology enables home and small office personal computer users toprint-out and tape or thumb-tack together large-size “sheet” or “wall”maps, using inexpensive consumer market printers and standard-sizedpaper—rather than more costly and complicated plotters or otherspecialized equipment and oversized paper. DeLorme offers that softwaretechnology as a component named MuralMaker. Recently, the MuralMakercapabilities have been made available for topographical printed mapoutput from DeLorme's 3-D TopoQuads® mapping software on CDROM or DVD—asan add-on tool supplied with DeLorme's other mapping software productsidentified as TopoToolS™ or Xmap® Geographic. The noted softwareproducts enable users to customize composite maps of various sizes.However, there does not presently exist a suitable protective holder forretaining such customized, composite maps.

[0006] Starting with its Map‘n’Go 1.0 mapping software product firstreleased in July of 1994, DeLorme has facilitated automated routingbased on user selection and input of starting point, final destination,and one or more optional waypoints. This software for calculatingoptimum routes further included capabilities for printing detailed setsof maps along a computed route. One such form of a route-related mapprintout is described in DeLorme's CARS U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,707 at col.4, line 58 to col. 5, line 16 and col. 14, lines 12-27 with reference toFIG. IN. For longer routes, such helpful travel route hardcopy outputcould include a series of multiple “strip” maps of the recommendedroute, showing critical intersections and turning points, as well asdetailed driving directions, text and/or graphic information aboutpoints of interest along the way. Such sets of route-related informationprintouts can be used with the present map holder invention.

[0007] Relatedly, DeLorme's CAMLS U.S Pat. No. 5,848,373 described andclaimed a system which included coordination among portable distributeddigital devices and corresponding printed maps by means of commonalphanumerically named map grids. FIG. 14C in the issued CAMLS patent,for example, illustrates a wireless pager receiving informationincluding a map grid designation of a specific accident site—in the formof alphanumerical text—which the user can then locate by means of thecorresponding grid system as printed on the pages of a map book. As analternative to this companion book, or a sheaf of map printouts, thepresent map holder invention can serve to assemble, demarcate, andenable visualization of a whole set of map printouts of adjacent areas,including the corresponding system of identifiable map grids, as an aidin ascertaining geographic locations.

[0008] Moreover, DeLorme's TRIPS U.S. Pat No. 5,948,040 described andclaimed a “Travel Reservation Information System”—preferably includingrelated geographic, scheduling, topical and transactional datasubsystems—which can provide users with personally tailored electronicor printed-out sets of map, route and/or point information, alsoscheduling information about events happening at specificlocations—which further preferably provides the user with one or morediscount coupons, reservation confirmations, and/or tickets. In the caseof printed output according to TRIPS, the present “map” holder inventioncan be used to enclose, arrange and retain pages of related maps, traveldirections, route, event, and/or point information in association withany printed reservation, discount coupon, or ticket documents issued tothe user.

[0009] Therefore, the overall object of the present invention is toprovide a device to transparently contain, organize and protect maps andother related travel information hardcopy or print output generated bygeographic information system software. Preferably, the transparentcontainer folds up for convenient storage and focused use. However, thecontainer or holder should readily unfold in order to present the “big”cartographic picture and/or other related travel information. In otherwords, an important object is to improve upon loose collections of papermaps, written route directions, text and/or pictorial information aboutnearby points of interest—easily deranged and/or damaged. Bound bookletsor stapled sheaves of maps and other travel information provide astrictly serial form of organization—requiring the user to flip and findbetween multiple pages of adjacent maps and/or other related travelinformation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention is a substantially transparent holderdesigned to facilitate visualization, analysis, and/or reading of largeamounts of geographic information as a whole—instead of as separatepages. The holder includes a plurality of adjacent compartments sizedand arranged to accommodate and align adjacent mapped areas and otherlogically or spatially related travel information in the form ofhardcopy output created by geographic information software and printedon standard-sized paper (e.g. 8.5″×11″) using a wide range of relativelyinexpensive and readily available printers for personal computingdevices such as laptops or personal computers but not limited thereto.

[0011] The preferred embodiments of the present map holder invention aremade to accommodate two or more hardcopy print-outs of contiguousgeographical data—typically generated using such “mural” or “mosaic” mapsoftware, standard 8.5″×11″ paper, plus a home/small office PC printer(preferably color, or black-and-white).

[0012] The holder of the present invention provides a convenient storagemethod that enables a user to compose and retain a customized mapstructure, which can be viewed as a single unit, wherein the particularmap or other travel information components may be changed, as desired,simply by replacement within the compartments. The overall transparentmap holder is also designed to fold up and unfold for portability, easeof storage, and more convenient or focused use. These and otheradvantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review ofthe following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1A is a front view of the holder of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 1B is a side view of the holder of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2A is a front view of a map print-out being trimmed withscissors to fit in one compartment of the holder of the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the holder of the presentinvention showing a way it can be folded and how map printouts can beinserted therein.

[0017]FIG. 2C is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the holderof the present invention containing a series of route-related maps andother travel information.

[0018]FIG. 2D is a front view of another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention with a composite set of maps with designated grids andrelated travel information therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0019]FIG. 1A shows a front view and FIG. 1B shows a side view of apreferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a transparent,compartmentalized plastic holder or envelope at 01. The envelope of thepresent invention is preferably constructed of “frosty clear” vinylhaving a wall thickness of about 0.0075 inches. The “frosty clear”material is also known as “rolled vinyl.” The material appears to betranslucent, but text and graphics show through it quite clearly printedon paper pressed right up to the vinyl. Alternatively, the map holdercould be made using a thicker polyurethane plastic for greaterdurability and flexibility particularly when used in cold weather.Although the specific dimensions of the envelope may be modified asdesired, the preferred embodiment of the invention has, when completelyunfolded, an overall height of about 29.5 inches, and a width of about22.5 inches, with a folded height of about 9.75 inches. Insidedimensions of individual compartments are about 9.5 inches high by about7.25 inches wide. There are preferably a “single rule” or a “1.5 mm barseal rule” along the horizontal fold lines, which give more room toinsert printouts in the compartments, and facilitate folding. Inaddition, the preferred embodiment includes welds or splines comprisinga “single rule” or “1.5 mm bar seal” along the vertical folds orseparations which enable the longer vertical map printout edges to becloser together and easier to align visually.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1B, the envelope includes two layers. The twolayers are preferably welded or glued, taped or otherwise fastenedtogether around the entire outside perimeter. The two layers are alsoattached together all along the potential “vertical” folds or creases atC and D, as indicated by dashed lines, in order to form the preferablyequal-sized compartments for related printouts of travel information.Each compartment's horizontal “bottom” is also formed and sealed bywelding, gluing or otherwise attaching the two layers together. Toinsert and remove the map and/or travel information hardcopies, openingsare cut out or left as shown by the dotted line segments in FIG. 1A,coinciding with the “horizontal” compartment boundaries at A and B.These openings or access slots are dimensioned to accommodate standardpaper and map sizes—with margins or borders cut-off if optimum. Throughthese apertures or openings, the user can insert or remove contiguoushardcopy maps or otherwise logically organized printed-out pages ofcomputer-generated travel information print output—as shown in FIG. 1Bat E and E, also at 05 and 10 in FIG. 2B.

[0021] The example of the envelope or holder shown in FIGS. 1A and 1Bshows compartments 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 and 10—including, inthis embodiment, room for nine adjacent or contiguous quadrangular mapsegments or tiles, and/or other travel information printouts. Asillustrated by the mapped water body at 11, and also by the vectorroutes and intersections at 12, which extend across two or morecompartmentalized pages of computer-generated output, these separatepages result in an array or a rectilinear mosaic of map printouts“quilted” together by placement within adjoining sections of thetransparent holder at 01 in order to present a composite map. In thisexample of the holder/envelope of the present invention, the ninecompartments act together to align and present a composite cartographicrepresentation made up of nine sheets or pieces of paper. It is to benoted that additional trimmed map printouts may be inserted into thecompartments back-to-back with the first map sections, so as to bevisible from the back or opposite face of the transparent map holderfront. An alternative embodiment of the present invention could be madeof one transparent layer on an opaque backing. In the simplified overallmap shown in FIG. 1A, note the map section at 10 in the lower rightcorner happens to have no map features, e.g., no road or water-bodydata—i.e. no cartographic content of specific interest to the user.Supplemental text or graphic travel information can optionally be placedwithin individual map prints or compartments in such areas withrelatively little or no map content.

[0022]FIG. 2A depicts a standard-sized 8.5″×11″ printout of map or othertravel information. Borders or margins measure approximately 0.5″ onboth sides and 1.0″ head and foot. The margins or borders are preferablycut-off for a more “seamless” composite map—and the map holdercompartments of the present invention are sized accordingly.

[0023]FIG. 2B is a perspective drawing depicting one way to crease andfold a nine-section map holder at 01. FIG. 2B also illustrates sheetmaps or other travel information printouts at 05 and 10 being insertedand/or removed from their respective compartments within this embodimentof the map holder invention. Alternatively, the openings can havezip-lock or other temporary or more or less permanent closure means;however, map holders according to the present invention are preferablyre-useable—i.e. used with one set of maps and possibly other printoutsfor a particular trip, which are removed and replaced with alternativetravel information printouts another day for purposes of a subsequentexpedition. Moreover, the zip-lock or other closures would likelyincrease manufacturing costs and interfere with easy folding. The mapholder preferably folds various ways to be more compact and so that, forexample, the user can focus on a portion of the overall map which is ofcurrent interest.

[0024]FIG. 2C shows an alternative embodiment map holder, according tothe present invention, in the form of a transparent, folding stripconsisting of five compartments for discrete related maps and/or othertravel information printouts. As an option, each compartment can beidentified alphanumerically as an aid in placing and identifying thecomponent sections of travel information. Alternatively, or in addition,such identifying numbers and/or letters can be included on the maps orother related travel information printouts as generated by the mappingand geographic information software program. The informationprinted-out, selected by the user and/or generated by the software canalso include related text or graphic information—for example, pointinformation, driving directions, located digital photos or tabularinformation, advertising, discount coupons, tickets or reservationconfirmation information—as shown at 5 in FIG. 2C.

[0025]FIG. 2D illustrates yet another embodiment of the presentinvention—in this case, a transparent, folding enclosure comprising sixcompartments for map printouts and/or other hardcopy travel information.Numbers and/or letters can be optionally printed, embossed, ortemporarily marked on the map holder—identifying discrete map gridsrepresented by lines drawn on the map holder and/or on the map printoutsinside. Alternatively, the alphanumeric map grid indicators can beprinted on the paper output. These numbers, letters and map grids areused to help identify areas and locations within the overall compositemap. In addition (or alternatively), supplemental text and/or graphicinformation (e.g. text and/or tabular directions for driving, “maptickets”, reservation confirmations, or “located” discount coupons,and/or point information) could be selected by the user engaging the mapsoftware, then printed out and arranged in one or more of the FIG. 2Dmap compartments, as shown in the compartment including grids 1E, 2E, 1Fand 2F—with the various kinds of supplemental information relating toone or more locations indicated on the map printouts assembled inadjacent compartments of the plastic map holder invention.

[0026] While the invention has been described with reference toparticular example embodiments, it is intended to cover allmodifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transparent foldable holder for retaining maps, travel-related information, or a combination thereof, the holder comprising: a first layer of material and a second layer of material, wherein at least one of said first layer and said second layer is transparent and wherein said first layer of material and said second layer of material are flexible, each having an inner face and an outer face defined by a perimeter, said first layer and said second layer joined together at their respective perimeters and further joined together at their respective inner faces to establish a plurality of compartments therebetween, wherein said layers are foldable on one another where joined at their respective faces, with each of said compartments including at least one opening to permit insertion therein of a printed map or travel-related information.
 2. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of compartments is of substantially equivalent dimensions.
 3. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first layer of material and said second layers of material are both transparent.
 4. The holder as claimed in claim 1 fabricated of a waterproof material.
 5. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said one or more openings of each of said plurality of compartments includes closure means.
 6. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first layer of material and said second layers of material are joined together by welding. 